African Arts Gallery

Influenced by Kongo culture, the Punu and Lumbu sculpted African masks coated with white kaolin such as this example of the Punu style topped with a double central shell. Female mask, its facial decorations refer to the scarifications in use. Erosions, colored highlights.
The white African masks of Gabon, itengi, (pl. bitengi) were associated with the various secret societies of Gabon, including the Bwiti, Bwete, and the Mwiri ("to lead" ), the latter spanning several levels of initiation, to which all Punu men belonged. In some villages, at dawn or dusk, the Okuyi dance was accompanied by songs in an esoteric language that only initiates could understand. (Punu, L. Perrois and C. Grand-Dufay)